Could the premier league be harming English teams in European competition?

The English Premier league stands head and shoulders above other leagues in world football as the most marketable and most competitive. But it's the competition itself and the drama that unfolds throughout the season that intrigues us to the English football.

Each season is like a drama with a plot not even the best script writer would ever put to paper. Producing sporting moments that have astounded viewers, made some laugh, made others cry, but all through out fans should expect a rollercoaster ride during each instalment.

In spite of this English football has seemingly become a victim of its own success. In recent seasons has seen a slump in the performance of English teams in European football with  them sustaining a poor habit of underachieving in the Champion's League. 

However, when you take into account factors such as the homogeneity ( similarity in playing styles), revenue and financial muscle in each league you could realise why in recent seasons it has become easier for other European giants to beat English sides.

Firstly let's begin with the homogeneity within other European leagues. In leagues like Serie A, Bundesliga, La Liga and Ligue 1 all the teams play very similar styles of the same football with a little variation here and there, even with some with styles that aren't used normally in the league. For instance Atletico Madrid play a defensive game and rely on playing on the break as opposed to the possession based game plan of most Spanish sides.

In conditions like that the main determine factor as to who come out on top usually lies with who has the better quality players to play the same style of football, but at a much higher level.

Then take into account how the  financial power of the teams that consistently win the league in those countries is rather substantial when compared to the rest their opposition. The likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus, PSG and Bayern Munich have the comfort of being able to buy any player from their rivals as other top European leagues.

This works two fold for these sides, firstly they weaken the opposition nullifying the threats of their closest rivals and further augment their own powers increasing the gap between them and the rest of the league.

Last season Juventus bought Gonzalo Higuain to Turin from Napoli. Over in Germany Bayern have been transferring some of the best talent from Borrusia Dortmund in recent with the likes Lewandowski, Gotze, and Hummels making the switch to the Allianz Arena.

The revenues that these teams generate from broadcasting up until recently tended to be  very skewed take for instance Barcelona and Real Madrid taking home at least half of the revenue of the La Liga sides with each pocketing about € 600 million a season alone from broadcasting rights. Putting this into perspective the revenue for La Liga in 2015 was € 1.3 billion meaning Real and Barca get as much as 50% of from revenue. This the leaves opposition sides with less room to wiggle when comes to their finances, which leaves them stuck with being feeder teams for the big sides.

But what does the above have to do with the Premier League you may ask? Well the EPL has a lot more diversity in terms of the teams' style of play with no team playing the same type of football. So every game comes with a different set of challenges,  game plan and tactics rather having to overpower the opposition with mere star power.

The big money invested in the league means each EPL side can buy quality players and you could very compare the Premier League to the NBA on the basis of talent and quality each side possess.

All this means that mean with each league English sides are taking on some of the best players in the world on a weekly basis. This usually would mean tougher games leaving very little in reserve for the business end of the Champion's League. 

Elsewhere the consistent winners of the other leagues usually coast through the season with a few hiccups along the and barring major slip ups they usually come out on top. This all creates the right platform to dominate European football as they are freed from gruelling fixtures and any challenges. 

Why Sanchez exit may be on the cards

The Confederations Cup kicked off last week in Russia and with it came  a reminder as to what a class player Alexis Sanchez is. Would be  suitors will surely be taking notice as Sanchez put himself on the shop window in his two appearances for his national side. The Chilean front man came off the bench to inspire Chile to a 2-0 win over Cameroon in the first game. More importantly Sanchez became Chile's record goal scorer in the second group game.

Watching Sanchez one can't help to spot how much of a quality player he is: he's got a good range of passes, blistering pace, his ball control and dribbling ability is only matched by a few, his eye for goals and his versatility would make him a hot commodity in the transfer window. All in all he is a technically sound player with attributes that befits him plying his trade for one of Europe's glamour clubs. His performances in recent seasons at Arsenal is prove of all this. Even though he scored 30 goals for Arsenal last term, Arsenal had one of their more disappointing seasons and Sanchez looks out of place at a club like Arsenal.

Alexis Sanchez looks every bit a championship winning player if you were ever looking for one, despite this there has been very little joy for the Chilean at Emirates save for last season's  FA Cup win over Chelsea.

That considered, Sanchez has every good reason to seek a move to a more ambitious side with the likes of Bayern Munich and league rivals Manchester City courting his signature. Both sides will offer the Chilean to compete for top honours and not to mention the financial incentives that come with playing for either one of these giants.

But more importantly though it will allow Sanchez to be in the company of winners just like himself, oppose to having to toil away in mediocrity doing the bare minimum just to have a seat at the big boy's table when he could very well be one of the big boys.

Important summer for the Gunner

After being relegated to Europa League football after an underwhelming 2016/17 season Arsenal have their work cut out for them to restore themsleves back amongst Europe's elite and a possible title challenge. The upcoming summer transfer will be of the utmost importance as there are few deals for Aresne Weneger to sort through before he can mount a prosper challenge.

 

RIYADH MAHREZ
The Algerian is a class player and will fit like a glove at the Emirates. After a stellar couple of seasons at Leicester City which culminated in winning a first Premier League title. Last season was a disappointment for the the winger with Leicester struggling for from after their previous heroics. The 2017/18 season is on the horizon and Mahrez has piqued interest after it was reported he seeks to move on from Leicester with the Emirates being his destination  of choice.

 

MESUT OZIL
The German player is yet to extend his stay at Arsenal after a season where he went missing for the middle part of the season as Arsenal's collapsed, yet again, after a less than satisfactory performance. The fact that Ozil is yet to hold contract talks with Arsenal has lead to some speculation that he and Chilean star Alexis Sanchez (see below) may be heading for exit in the summer. There sure should be lots interest for Ozil in the summer, but Wenger insists that both his star men will stay.

 

JAMES RODRIGUEZ
The upcoming season will be important as the lead up to next year's World Cup in Russia and Rodriguez will be seeking regular game time after playing second fiddle to Isco at Real Madrid. A move looks set to be on the horizon as he seeks to lead Colombia in another World Cup. Manchester United looked to be the front runner's for the forgotten Madrid man, but according  to The Sunday Express Arsenal are preparing a bid for Rodriguez.

 

ALEXIS SANCHEZ
The biggest transfer that would have the biggest ramifications for the Arsenal this summer would be the loss of their star man. Sanchez has yet to extend his contract after a relatively good individual season, scoring 30 goals and winning the FA Cup in the process. However, the failure to mount a real title challenge and early exits from the Champion's League have lead to rumours  swirling about the Chilean with clubs like Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Manchester City said to be in the running for his signature. City are reportedly closing in on the Chilean's signature after the Mirror reported that a Chilean insider had details about a move to City being finalised.

 

KYLIAN MBAPPE
The French teenage sensation has been to likened to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry and is rumoured to be on Arsene Wenger's raider as well as other European giants. Mbappe scored 26 goals last term chipping in with a further 16 assists to inspire Monaco to a first Ligue 1 title since 2002 and a spot in the semi-finals of the Champion's League. The youngster is undoubtedly a future talent and the attention is warranted, but would Arsenal be willing to take a risk on an untested player to the tune of a £ 100 million?

  

Not all diets are created equal

In an attempt to obtain optimum health and a much needed performance boost I became a vegetarian . I was hooked after searching through the internet to find that a vegetarian diet would come with some benefits.

These benefits include weight loss, more energy and being clear minded. If I wasn't already buying into it my friend, who is a vegetarian, had me convinced to go vegetarian. I later came to regret following that advice.

As I write this I realise why she convinced to go vegetarian: misery loves company. She's a vegetarian out of necessity rather than choice.

The diet did in fact result in weight loss, but one of the draw backs was that after my prolonged exercising sessions ( 4 days of boxing plus 4 days of running) I had muscles that were always stiff and sore. This was caused by consuming little to no protein at all.

I also felt hungry almost all the time, despite having a higher food intake.

The much vaunted energy benefits were also nowhere to be found as i was flat most of the time which affected the rest of my day. That's when I threw in the towel nobody is meant to live like this.

Humans evolved through a diet of eating mostly meat and we're omnivores, there's no need to do something so counterproductive as only eating from one side of the aisle.

If you're considering switching to vegan or vegetarian diet for health reasons, rather try diversifying your diet with equal helpings of meat and vegetables. Add some healthy fats and fruits in there and you'll be all set.

That being said I  learned a few things in my
foray into the landmine riddden world of diets. The most important of which is that being a vegan or vegetarian is expensive and most of the preparation is annoying. Also giving up meat is a nightmare and if we weren't meant eat meat then why on God's green earth would it taste so good?

He should have left, instead he stayed

Without even a single ball being kicked for the upcoming 2017/2018 season, Arsenal fans already have reason to throw out any sense of optimism after Arsene Wenger was given a contract extension. Arsenal have failed to win the league since 2004, and usually consoled fans with participation in the Champion's League. That's not the case this time round.

For the upcoming season Gunners fans will have to console themselves with Thursday night football or as the B-list of European foogball call it: The Europa League.

The fact that Arsenal have yet again been downgraded another rung in the ladder of England's footballing hierarchy should be grounds for dismissal. But thats not how it works at the Emirates.

When you think about it Wenger had greatest opportunities to put Arsenal back on the winners podium during the two previous  seasons. First Chelsea went haywire, Man United were still managed by that knob van Gaal, City were too up and down. Spurs looked the most likely threat, but still looked raw with a young squad. The league was practically being handed to Arsenal.

We all know how that ended with Leicester of all teams finishing on the podium. Then just this past season most of Arsenal's 'rivals' went under new management: Pep Guardiola was now on the scene at City, Mourinho took charge of United and the season's surprise package Antonio Conte was the Chelsea manager.

All the new managers with the exception of Mourinho helped their sides finish above Arsenal. The cheery on top of that cake is that Spurs finished above Arsenal for the first time in 22 years.

Then Arsene Wenger gets rewarded with a contract renewal? For two seasons? For doing even worse than he had previously?

Arsenal are a joke. Arsene Wenger is a joke. Rather than being remembered fondly with the good years of trophies and historic feats; he decides to stay on long after everyone wants him gone?

Here fans were hoping that he'd take a note out of Fergie's book and bow out on a good note. For goodness sake the FA Cup win against Chelsea should have been enough to steer the man towards the 'Wenger out' exit! He  can barely damn well manage the zipper on his jacket how do you suppose he can manage a team like Arsenal anymore?